Boris Johnson chooses Cornwall to host G7 summit providing £50m 'levelling-up' boost to the region

PM is hoping the first in-person G7 summit in almost two years will leave a long-lasting economic legacy for the county

Boris Johnson visiting Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall on November 2019
Boris Johnson visiting Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall in November 2019 Credit: PA

Boris Johnson will use the G7 to aid levelling up, as Cornwall is announced as the summit’s host. The Prime Minister has chosen Carbis Bay, a Cornish beauty spot where the fifth series of Poldark was filmed, to bring together leaders from around the world to address coronavirus, tackling climate change, open trade, as well as technological change and scientific discovery.

Mr Johnson will use the first in-person G7 summit in almost two years, which is made up of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA and the EU, to ask leaders to seize the opportunity to 'build back better' from coronavirus, uniting to make the future fairer, greener and more prosperous.

Incoming US President Joe Biden is expected to attend the event starting on June 11, as well as Australia, India and South Korea attending as guests.

Mr Johnson said: “As the most prominent grouping of democratic countries, the G7 has long been the catalyst for decisive international action to tackle the greatest challenges we face.

"From cancelling developing world debt to our universal condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the world has looked to the G7 to apply our shared values and diplomatic might to create a more open and prosperous planet.”

He added that Cornwall was “the perfect location for such a crucial summit”.

“Two hundred years ago Cornwall’s tin and copper mines were at the heart of the UK’s industrial revolution and this summer Cornwall will again be the nucleus of great global change and advancement,” he said. “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming world leaders to this great region and country.”

As Mr Johnson’s aim is to use the G7, which will be held from June 11 to 13 of this year, to intensify cooperation between the world’s democratic and technologically advanced nations, he has invited leaders from Australia, India and South Korea to attend as guest countries.

Between them the 10 leaders represent over 60 per cent of the people living in democracies around the world.

Visit Cornwall estimates the total economic impact for the county will be £50 million, including through an increase in future tourism. The Government will also work closely with Cornish leaders and institutions to ensure the Summit leaves a long-term legacy for the region, reaping the benefits of hosting the G7 for years to come.

The UK will also host a number of meetings throughout the year between Government Ministers from the G7, both virtually and in different locations across the UK.

Mr Johnson added: “Coronavirus is doubtless the most destructive force we have seen for generations and the greatest test of the modern world order we have experienced. It is only right that we approach the challenge of building back better by uniting with a spirit of openness to create a better future."

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